City renames convention center

In a Dallas City Council meeting held on April 24, the Council approved the re-naming of the Dallas Convention Center in honor of retired U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. In 1993, she became the first female senator from Texas. The Council lauded her numerous accomplishments while in office such as her work with Dallas Area Rapid Transit to develop the nation’s largest light rail system, her efforts in the acquisition of $225 million for the Trinity Corridor Project, and her consistent advocacy of the authority and autonomy of local government.

During the informal ceremony, Mayor Michael Rawlings declared his intention to honor Hutchison’s contributions to the city’s success despite their differing political viewpoints.

“Sen. Hutchison has been a champion for Texas and Dallas. She has unselfishly given her time and efforts to defer to the interests of our city and our citizens,” Rawlings said. “Much of Dallas’ success – and I believe Dallas is one of the most thriving cities in the nation – is due in no small part to Sen. Hutchison’s leadership and commitment. I believe this action today is entirely appropriate. Many convention centers around the country are named for notable distinguished persons. Our action today is even more significant because this will be the first major convention center in the country to be named after a woman. It gives me great honor to announce my support of this action item.”

After acknowledging the Council’s public service efforts, Hutchison expressed her desire to be a welcoming face to those who visit Dallas and the convention center.

“I want to be among the 21st century bridge builders. I want to say [to visitors] that you picked a great city and we welcome you here in Dallas,” Hutchison stated.

Reed Middle School, located at 530 East Freeman St. in Duncanville, will no longer serve as a polling location for the general and special elections on May 11. The location has been replaced by David W. Carter High School, located at 1819 W. Wheatland Road in Dallas.

City officials accepted $363,333 in Continuum of Care grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide rental assistance for homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS.

The city also accepted additional funding from the Dallas Housing Finance Corporation. As part of the Home Repair Program, the money will be used to provide home repairs for low-income families. The funding will not exceed $50,000.

Using funding from HOME Investment Partnership funds, the Council authorized a housing development loan not exceeding $713,675 with Neighborhood Builders Community Development Corporation for the development of six affordable single-family homes to be located on Bearden Lane. The Council also approved a $250,000 loan to East Dallas Community Organization for the development of properties on Bexar Street.

The Council approved the exercise of the right of eminent domain for the acquisition of land from Lucille Joy Frank, trustee of the David A. Frank Testamentary Trust, Katherine F. Gayle and Susan Gayle Needham, co-trustees of the Katherine F. Gayle Living Trust, Carolyn Parker Schum, trustee of the Schum Living Trust and Sandra Parker Adams for the Southwest 120/96-inch Water Transmission Pipeline Project. The Council also approved land acquisition from Advance Brake and Clutch Services for the CBD-Fair Park Link Project. The city does not know if the acquisitions will be necessary.